I've had some incredible dining experiences this week thanks to Last Minute's amazing restaurant deals. For the price of a pizza, myself and the Silver Fox visited Quilon on Sunday to sample their three course set menu (appetiser, starter, aperatif, main course, dessert, coffee AND hotel chocolat chocolates!). The restaurant itself looked lovely, all linen table cloths and tasteful murals. There was a complete variety of diners, from business men having lunch to families eating together.
And the food was beautiful. SF maintains that it was the best meal he has ever had- high praise from a man who has eaten everywhere from Bali to Hong Kong to New York to Bromley Burger King!
Appetisers were served in the form of lovely mini-poppadoms with two choices of 'dip' (one red and spicy, one cool, green and corriander-y). Starters included seafood broth for me- a super-fresh selection of prawns, mussels and scallops with a delicious tomato-based broth poured over the top, and mango-lassi chicken for him, lovely chicken fillets with a slightly spicy mango/yoghurt sauce drizzled over them.
Before the main course we were brought what looked like round sherry glasses containing a hot, spicy tomato broth with chopped coriander floating on top. It tasted gorgeous, with just the right amount of chilli heat. It was so nice I was actually worried they might take it away when our mains quickly arrived!
We decided upon main courses of lamb in a pistachio sauce for myself and guinea fowl marsala for SF, both of which were accompanied by lemon rice and beautifully presented. The maitre d' even brought me a small bowl of curd rice to try (looks/feels like rice pudding, tastes, like cottage cheese with a hint of nutmeg) ( it wouldn't have gone with my main course but I do love a weird dessert/side dish mash up of an afternoon...).
My dessert of baked yogurt was a highlight- two little cups, one mango, one blood orange. The mango was especially lovely, with a strong, fruity aftertaste. SF is not usually a pudding fan however he ate his own chocolate cake before finishing my yogurt with enthusiasm! Another high point was my drink- while SF stuck to orange juice I sampled something new, a rose beer. Mild and fresh tasting it looked beautifully pink and very festive, presented in a tall glass.
The service was fab, the waiters smartly attired, polite and more than willing to make suggestions and recommendations. For around £25 per head I couldn't recommend this Michellin starred venue enough and already know of several friends who have booked in upon hearing how great our experience was. I will definitely be visiting again very soon!!
